The moment Lina clasped Kael's hand, the fire around them twisted and coiled into a blinding vortex. Heat surged, but it didn't scorch—it empowered. The Phoenix Realm, the place between life and death, began to collapse into light. A heartbeat later, they were gone.
When Lina opened her eyes, the sky above her was a dull gray. A breeze rustled through dry grass, and the scent of ash still lingered in the air. She lay at the edge of a forest, Kael beside her, watching with cautious eyes.
"This… is the mortal realm?" she asked, her voice strained.
Kael nodded. "The world you once knew. But changed. The Shadow Legion has spread across the continent, and their corruption grows by the day. Cities fall, empires crumble, and fire is feared."
Lina sat up slowly. Her body still glowed faintly, her skin warm as if a sun lived beneath her flesh. But she could feel the strain already—this world was heavier, denser. Here, her divine power would not come so freely.
"You said you were from the Flamebound Order," she said. "Who are they? Why were you waiting for me?"
Kael's eyes darkened. "We are descendants of the first Firebearers—mortals chosen by phoenixes to protect the flame of balance. For centuries, we've kept watch, guarding the sacred places, passing down prophecies of your return. When the last Phoenix died a hundred years ago, we thought hope was lost."
He paused, drawing a small glowing emblem from beneath his cloak—a sigil shaped like a phoenix in flight, its wings forming a circle of fire.
"But then signs began to appear. Dreams, omens, and sparks in the sky. We knew the cycle was returning. You, Lina, are the first Phoenix reborn since the cataclysm."
Lina's thoughts spun. From ordinary girl to divine being… it still felt unreal. Yet everything inside her burned with truth.
"Then tell me," she said softly, "where do I begin?"
Kael stood. "The Flamebound Sanctuary lies hidden in the Firepeak Mountains. There, you'll begin training to master the phoenix's true power. But the path is not safe. The Shadow Legion hunts all who bear fire in their souls."
Lina rose to her feet, her golden wings vanishing into light as she steadied herself. "Let them come. I'm done running."
Kael smirked slightly. "Good. You'll need that fire."
As they walked deeper into the forest, the land told its own tale—burnt trees, poisoned rivers, and strange dark vines pulsing with eerie energy. Lina could feel it—a suffocating force in the air, like rot creeping into the bones of the earth.
"What is this?" she asked, placing her hand on one of the twisted vines.
"Voidroot," Kael said grimly. "Born from the Shadow Sovereign's magic. It drains life, corrupts mana, and spreads across the kingdoms like a sickness. Whole villages have vanished overnight."
Lina's heart clenched. "How did things fall so far?"
"Because light was gone," Kael replied. "And without the Phoenix, the darkness had no rival."
Suddenly, the earth trembled beneath their feet. Birds screeched and fled from the trees above. The sky darkened, clouds twisting into spirals.
"They've found us," Kael growled. He drew a flaming blade from his back, its edge flickering with orange light. "Shadow Reapers."
A sound like cracking stone echoed through the forest as black figures emerged from the mist—twisted humanoid forms with hollow eyes and mouths stitched shut. Their movements were jerky, like puppets pulled by unseen strings.
Lina's breath quickened. This was her first real test since awakening.
Kael stepped in front of her. "Stay behind me. They're—"
But Lina raised her hand. "No. I need to fight."
Without waiting, she summoned the flame inside her. It responded instantly, roaring to life as golden fire wrapped around her fists and surged along her arms. The ground beneath her feet lit up with glowing runes.
The Reapers charged.
Lina moved like fire incarnate—fast, fluid, unforgiving. Each strike from her burned through shadow and smoke, each wave of heat sending enemies into disarray. Beside her, Kael cut through the creatures with practiced ease, the two of them moving like a storm of flame and steel.
Within minutes, the forest fell silent. Only the crackle of dying flames remained.
Lina stood panting, smoke rising from her body. The heat inside her pulsed wildly, barely under control—but it was hers.
Kael nodded slowly, sheathing his sword. "You're not ready yet," he said, "but you're stronger than I hoped."
Lina didn't answer. She stared down at her hands, still glowing.
"I can feel it growing," she whispered. "This flame… it's more than power. It's memory. Legacy."
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then carry it well. Because from this point on, Lina… the world is watching. And so are the gods."